I freaking adored this book!! Time slip romances that are actually good are hard for me to find, so this was such a pleasant reading experience. Highly recommend!

I was really surprised in a way by how much I enjoyed this--because I tend to feel iffy about magical realism, but this one sounded too good to pass up. Thankfully, I was right!! Very well done. Left me feeling hopeful and anxious for more from this author.

Sometimes you can fall in love with all parts of a person, past and present. The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate is a charming read. It’s an intriguing story that has a dash of a love triangle mixed with magical realism elements.

Fenny, the FMC, goes on a weekend trip before she’s moves from writing for a tv show to directing it. There she meets Sam, who is young and carefree. They have instant chemistry. Fast forward, she’s back at work, and losing her directing position to Jude, a well known director, who has an uncanny resemblance to Sam, the man from her weekend romance except Jude’s older and definitely more jaded.

Fenny tries to figure out how/if these two men are one and the same. Overtime, she comes to realize Jude didn’t know he was taking her job, in fact he’s a fan of hers. He falls first. They become friends, and the author’s writing showcases their building chemistry and magical connection. Overall, I thought the pacing of the book was just right.

This is a time slip romance. It has enemies to lovers vibes, a love triangle, and a love story that will leave you believing in magic too.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you netgalley and to the publishers for the ARC. I enjoyed the story and plot of the book. It was engaging and the dialogue help drive the story. I enjoyed the ending of the story and would totally read another book by the author.

This book is a mesmerizing mix of love and time travel. Fenny’s journey of self-discovery and love is both heartfelt and emotionally charged. The time-slip love triangle creates a beautiful conflict, the duality of Jude/Sam is intriguing; and you can’t help but root for Fenny. The writing is engaging and vibrant, pulling you into a whirlwind romance that is as much about healing as it is about love. If you enjoy magical realism with a love story that transcends time, this book’s got you covered.

Fenny is on Catalina to decompress before her big debut as director. When the weather picks up Search & Rescuer, Sam, shows up to save Fenny. Taken back to his cabin they have an almost instant connection, and spend the following day enjoying the wonders of Catalina and each other (wink wink). But Fenny has to head back to the mainland where her job is waiting. Only back on the mainland she’s lost her job to a man who looks almost exactly like Sam, but personality wise couldn’t be more different. As Fenny starts to get to know Jude and she becomes conflicted. Is she meant to be with Sam or Jude? And why do they look so similar?!?

The book is weird. So if you don’t like weird this isn’t for you. I think it’s on the more magical end of magical realism. And the insta love vibes with Sam was meh for me. But I did really enjoy the slow burn with Jude. I feel very conflicted by this one because the writing was really good and the tension between Fenny and Jude was amazing. I just wasn’t a huge fan on the main premise of the book. But if you are really into magical realism this one’s fun!

Enemies to friends to lovers
Instant connection
Forced proximity
He falls harder

Thanks NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lauren Kate’s writing is evocative and mesmerizing, seamlessly weaving together past and present. Her skillful narrative keeps readers engaged, with every twist and turn adding depth to the story. The dialogue is sharp, and the emotional intensity is palpable, making it a true page-turner.

This one just wasn’t for me. The writing style didn’t resonate and the plot didn’t grab me at all - the premise sounds so fun so I’m bummed but I couldn’t get through it.